Business Insurance Group

Fixed-annuity sales keep growing, in spite of interest rate concerns

Fixed-annuity sales rose in the second quarter, marking the second straight quarter of growth and overcoming falling interest rates.

Sales were up 8% from the first quarter, reaching $20.4 billion, with all but one product type, fixed-rated, non-MVAs, showing increases, according to the Beacon Research analysis of about 800 products.

Income annuities advanced 30%, to $2.3 billion, while indexed annuities grew 18%, to $8.4 billion, and fixed-rate MVAs climbed 4%, to $1.5 billion.

Fixed rate non-MVAs fell 5% to $8.2 billion.

“We anticipated the sequential growth in both indexed and income annuities,” said Jeremy Alexander, CEO of Beacon Research, in a statement. “In

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Is It Time for You to Start the Conversation?

Only 49% of Americans who have financial advisors and financial plans have ever discussed with their advisors adding life insurance to their plans, according to a study conducted by Saybrus Partners Inc. in conjunction with Harris Interactive.

Although about half of the study participants say they have talked to their advisors about life insurance, 15% said that conversation took place more than 10 years ago. Think of how much life—and needs—change in a decade. Only 40% said they have talked to their financial advisor about life insurance within the past year. Mor

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Animal cancer, what are your options?

Finding out that a beloved pet has cancer can be just as difficult as if it were a close friend or family member– since many people regard their pets as a part of their family. While we know that there are many different treatment options available for humans, what can pet owners do if their animal has cancer? The good news is that treatment options for pets are available as well, and pets have a better chance of successful cancer treatment today than ever before. Any pet owner should know about these options so that his or her furry friend can get treatment as soon as possible. I

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LIFE presents The Seven Wonders of Life Insurance

As part of this years Life Insurance Awareness Month, LIFE (The Life and Health Insurance Foundation for Education, a non-profit organization dedicated to educating the public about life, health, disability and long term care insurance) has produced a great piece about the importance of life insurance and the way it provides security for families.  Visit www.lifehappens.org if you would like to see the original article, The Seven Wonders of Life Insurance, and some great supporting videos.  In the meantime, here are the key points made in the article:

Many people purchase life insurance to pay for funeral and other final expenses.  With proper planning, life insurance can provide much more for your family.  Here is what life insurance can do for you:

• Life insurance can buy time.It affords your family and loved ones the time they need to grieve.  Without life insurance, they might need to scramble to come up with the funds to pay for final expenses.

• Life insurance provides a fresh start.It allows your family to pay off debt (including the mortgage) so they can start with a clean slate.

• Proceeds from a life insurance policy can generate incomeYour family might choose to invest the death benefit in a conservative investment and live off the interest for years to come, leaving the principal intact.

• Life Insurance can offer flexibility.Your surviving spouse can take time off of work, if needed and/or perhaps switch to a new job that offers a more flexible work schedule, leaving more time to care for the family.

• The funds from a life insurance policy can create opportunities.They can provide funding to start a business or pay for schooling to train for a new career.

• Life insurance can fund the future.It offers a way to fund long-range goals like a college education for the children or to fund a retirement plan for a more-comfortable retirement.

• Life insurance can leave a legacy.It gives parents a chance to leave future generations with the legacy of long-term financial security.

Celebrate Life Insurance Awareness month by reviewing your life insurance policy to make sure you have enough coverage and, if not, get term life insurance quotes or universal life insurance quotes by clicking Start Your Instant Quote above and supplement your current coverage.  If you dont currently own a life insurance policy, now is a great time to start.

Argo Group establishes insurance operations in DIFC

Argo Group International Holdings, an underwriter of specialty insurance and reinsurance products, has established a locally domiciled insurance operation in the heart of the Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC).

Bermuda-based Argo said its new unit, Argo Re (DIFC), which will serve as Argo Group’s hub for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region, will focus initially on casualty, professional and financial lines insurance.

The product suite to be offered by Argo Group in the MENA Region will consist of a broad range of casualty, professional and financial lines coverages, including major construction projects and energy risks.

The new operation is headed by regional chief underwriting officer Lina Hantas and casualty underwriting manager Samir Hemsi.

In his new role, Hantas will be responsible for building, developing and underwriting the liability book of business for Argo in the Middle East & North Africa region.

Similarly, Hemsi will be responsible for building, developing and underwriting the professional liability and casualty book of business for Argo in Dubai and Jordan.

Argo Group CEO Mark Watson said Dubai represents as growing global financial centers and a local presence there serves to enhance the scale, flexibility and value the firm offer to the customers.

From Runway to Retail: Big Chains Size Up Fashion Week Trends

Bold prints, tribal patterns and sporty looks are poised to turn up in America’s malls this spring.

So said fashion and trend directors from Macy’s (M), J.C. Penney (JCP) and Banana Republic (GPS), who weighed in on the salient trends and design themes that emerged during New York Fashion Week, which ended Sept. 15.

Chain retailers are watching the catwalk more closely these days. It’s a sign of the times.

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How advantageous can be a suitable insurance company?

If you use any form of business, chances are you have some form of business insurance in place. It might be just the legal minimum, it could be any liability or you may have coverage for your business assets and buildings as well.

Apart from travel insurance and marine cargo, most forms of trade policy are annual. They run every year, close to your car and home cover. Full Post…

Online Auto Insurance Quotes

Insurance is one of the most important policies to have when you take your vehicle out of your parking space. It insures you against any financial loss incurred to you due to damage caused to your vehicle or to you while driving it. In the age of the online world, it is easy to find auto insurance quotes online. All the insurance companies now allow the customers to buy insurance products online. This has made the process easier and very quick for the customers.

There are many websites which prosper only by providing customers with comparisons between various auto insurance products. The customer just has to visit the website and search for the kind of insurance he wants. Full Post…